The bright-colored historic houses along Copenhagen’s Nyhavn perfectly represent the vibrant, cheerful, lovely personalities of the city’s people.

You can almost feel the happiness in the air as you walk the cobblestone streets lined with gorgeous multi-colored architecture. It’s no secret why the United Nations ranks Denmark the second happiest country in the world.

“They really are the nicest,” Madeline said to me as I poured my instant coffee into a cup of boiling water at a small table in the hostel lobby. 

The bubbly receptionist just spent five minutes patiently answering Madeline’s questions and circling several attractions on one of those pocket-sized city maps that expands to an obnoxious size making you stand out as a tourist. The young woman gave me the same city highlights spiel 10 minutes before Madeline walked through the door but she wasn’t the least bit annoyed by having to repeat herself.

“Hi! Welcome!” the receptionist said to the next person in line as Madeline grabbed her latte and took a seat at the table next to me.

“Where are you visiting from?” I asked. “New York,” she responded.

It took two minutes of chatting before Madeline moved to my table so we could continue talking about our travels and careers. Madeline is also a journalist — a data reporter in New York City. Small world!

I went about my afternoon sightseeing — from Nyhavn to Amalienborg Palace — without getting Madeline’s number. I thought, “I should have added her on Instagram!” It turns out, she was thinking the same thing and put her professional sleuthing skills to the test, typing into Google: “Joe,” “Reporter,” “Raleigh.” I’m pretty easy to find, thank goodness! 

“Hello, hi! Sorry for harassing you on socials,” she wrote to me in a Facebook message. “We just met…I should have grabbed your number.”

A couple of hours later Madeline and I were sitting side-by-side on a 30-minute bus ride to Reffen, an outdoor street food market, for dinner. People gathered around bonfires on what was a chilly and windy July night in Scandinavia. We chatted about being single, the dating scene in New York City and the thrill of travel. We even geeked out over journalism, talked about how data can help tell stories with better context and the rewarding feeling of publishing a story after weeks or months of researching and reporting. It felt like we had been friends for years!

If not for me sparking a simple conversation and Madeline finding me online we would have likely explored the city alone that night. It’s more proof that being welcoming and inviting can help us meet new people, learn new things and create new memories.

The next morning I was brushing my teeth in the shared bathroom when a woman brushing her hair started asking about my plans for the day. My mouth was filled with toothpaste. Someone was showering behind a glass door next to us and someone else was using the toilet in a stall a few feet behind us. This has become so normal in a few short weeks living in hostels but I still find it hilarious. We’re all traveling, seeing the world, fighting for bathroom space and making new connections while popping in our contacts.

Suus eventually asked if I wanted to meet-up for a drink later that afternoon. “Of course!” I said while applying moisturizer to my face. “I’ll give you my number in a minute.”

I’m telling you, everyone was in a good mood!  

I had the most perfect day of exploring. Oh, sweet Copenhagen! The view from the top of Christiansborg Palace was spectacular. 

A morning bike ride led to a long walk through Freetown Christiania — an area of the city taken over by squatters and known for open drug sales next to clothing and craft vendors. About 1,000 people live in Christiania and a half-million tourists visit every year. Photography was highly discouraged in many spots but tourists took pictures of the buildings covered in art. 

Suus — my friend from the bathroom — met me at the wine bar around dinnertime but when it came time to eat we opted for burgers at Gasoline Grill — a former gas station turned popular burger joint in central Copenhagen.  

I love hearing about people following their passions and Suus is a shining example. The 32-year-old from Amsterdam was a longtime physical education teacher who stepped up a few years ago when her school needed a biology teacher. Can you imagine? “Hey coach, we need you to teach science!” She always had an interest in biology but no degree or formal training. Soon enough, she realized she enjoyed teaching biology more than gym class and found herself back in school to get certified as a biology teacher. She now teaches biology full-time! She stepped up in a time of need, tried something new, found a new passion and it changed the course of her career. How cool is that? We talked about how excited her students get on the days they dissect an animal heart. “I love it,” she said of her new job. 

Madeline, my new friend from the night before, joined us after dinner and the three of us embarked on a special night in Copenhagen.

As I always say: “The more the merrier!”

We ended up taking over an empty dance floor in the basement of a nightclub that eventually became so packed with people that we left drenched in sweat after dancing all night to songs we didn’t recognize or understand because of the language barrier.

The welcoming nature of Copenhagen made me think about how our attitudes and the energy we inject into the world can drastically change the way we live and help other people live. How about the receptionist? Her enthusiasm, smile and patience made every guest feel excited, welcomed and at ease. How about Madeline and Suus? Their simple invitations made me feel accepted, changed the direction of my time in Copenhagen and together we forged new friendships and made new memories. I believe pushing the welcome wagon —being friendly, inviting and supportive — will make us and those around us happier.

One of my mom’s favorite quotes is from Helen Keller: “The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard but must be felt with the heart.”

In the case of my time in Copenhagen, I remember so vividly how the people made me feel. The city’s beauty was amplified by the fullness of my heart leaving town. 

I’m so glad I met Madeline and Suus. Three strangers, now friends. 

Song Choice: Moments to Memories/Adeline Hill

Who says there is no such thing as a perfect day? Or two days in a row? My time in Copenhagen was spontaneous, fun, memorable, stress-free and filled with happy people and new connections. This song talks about those moments when you look around and everything feels alright in the world. “We are free — can you feel it too?” Our lives can become filled with responsibility. Time seems to move faster and faster. Sometimes it feels like all we’re doing is worrying or solving problems. This song talks about capturing that fleeting feeling of perfection. “This is when the moments turn to memories…this is when tonight becomes a masterpiece.”